Railway switching apparatus.



I PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

J. P. COLEMAN. .RAILWAY SWITGHING APPARATUS.

APPLIDATIN FILED OCT. 7

3 SHEETS-SH-EET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 767,629. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1.904.

J. P. COLEMAN. RAILWAY SWITGHING APPARATUS.

` APPLICATION FILED 0CT.'7, 1903. y

N0 MODEL. v3 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

PATENTED AUG. vles?, 1904.

J. P. COLEMAN. RAILWAY SWITCHING APPARATUS.

vAPPLICATION FILEDOOT. 7, 1903. v

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

- No MODEL.

i I'IL'. x. .//M ATTORNEY' WITN-ESSS H l Patented August 16, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN PRESSLEY COLEMAN, OF EDGEVVOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL CO., OF SIVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SWITCHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 767,629, dated August 16, 1904,

Application filed October 7, 1903. Serial No. 176,079. (No model.)

To all whom, it Hefty concern;

My invention particularly relates to theY means employed for giving an indication that the switch-rails have been completely moved and locked by the mechanism in the desired direction.

My invention is equally applicable to motor actuated or operated railway-signals.

I will describe a means for obtaining an indication embodying my invention and then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a' motor actuated mechanism for moving the switch-rails and a system of circuits and apparatus by which the motor is controlled and by which an indication is obtained that the switch-rails have completely moved and locked in the desired direction embodying my invention. The parts are in the position they would occupy after a complete operation of the mechanism and an indication or notification given that the mechanism has completely moved the switch-rails and locked them and the lever moved to its complete position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a means whereby electric current-may be supplied the indication-circuits to affect the indication mechanism.` Figs, 3, 4, and 5 are each detail views showing mechanism for operating the device for supplying electric current to the indication-currents. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. l, but showing a modification of my invention. Fig. 7 is a detail view. i

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

As this invention relates more particularly to the operation of the indication means used in connection with a lever for controlling an apparatus for moving an appliance controlling' the passage of trains over a railroadtrack-for example, switch-rails or railwaysignals*I have not specifically illustrated nor will I specifically describe any such apparatus for moving such an appliance. I have, however, diagrammatically illustrated an apparatus for moving a railway appliance-for eX- ample, switch-rails-and in an application for patent filed by me on the 7th of October, 1903, Serial No. 176,078, I have shown and described a motor and mechanism actuated thereby, the whole constituting an apparatus for moving the switch-rails and the devices generally employed in connection with switch-rails, and reference may be had to this application for details of construction, some of which details are only referred to herein generally.

It will be understood that I do not limit the invention herein set forth to any particular form of electric-motor-actuated mechanism for operating switch-rails, as it can be easily adapted with slight modifications and without departing from my invention to any apparatus employing a motor,`either an electric motor of any type or to a motor operated by-fluid-pressure. In general the invention herein set forth is applicable to any apparatus embodying' a motor for moving' switch rails or signals where an electrical indication is desired from the switch rails or signals in either or both of their two positions.

The indication means or "indication devices, as generally known in the art, comprise, essentially, an electromagnet and a suitable form of lock operated thereby. The ndication means are generally employed in connection with the lever controlling the operation of the motor of the apparatus connected with the switch-rails, and the lock under certain conditions is adapted to engage the lever to prevent its movement to its complete position until it is known to the operator that the apparatus has completely moved the switch-rails in the desired direction in respense to the moyement of the lever. An advantage of this is that ordinarily there are a number of levers arranged side by side in a frame, some of which control the'operation of apparatus connected `with switches and others of which control the operation of apparatus connected with signals, and they are mechanically interlocked in such a manner that generally before a lever controlling a signal apparatus can be moved to pass a train over a given piece of track all levers controlling switch apparatus within the track must iirst be in their proper positions to insure safe passage of trains over the switches. Conversely, before any lever controlling a switch apparatus can be moved, all levers controlling signals giving the right of way over-the track in which the switch is located must be in their proper positions (the signals must be at dange1") before the lever controlling the switch apparatus can be moved, and it is only after a complete movement of the lever that the other levers are released or locked, as the case may be. The indication or notiiicationl is obtained by the unlocking of the lever.

Referringnow to Fig. l, D designates an electric motor, d the armature, and l/ the field thereof. The armature upon its rotation through intermediate gearing operates a cam E, which through a yoke F operates or moves the switch-rails. Included in this gearing is a yielding holding means comprising a gear d, having shoulders /LZ and lt, and levers H H', which through rollers /i L, carried by them, ,engage the shoulders if 71,3. The operation of these holding means is fully set forth in the application hereinbefore referred to. It is only necessary to state here that the yielding holding means shall operate to open the motor-circuit after the switchrails have been completely moved and locked and toestablish a part of a circuit including the indication means. To accomplish this, the levers H H' each operate a circuit-controller l. rlhe circuit-controller I, operated by the lever H, as here shown, comprises a contact-plate t' and contact-plates vl 712 and vl 1, arranged in pairs. The circuit-controller I, operated by the lever H, as here shown, comprises acontact-plate 5 and contact-plates d 7 and als i, arranged in pairs. ln addition to those parts of the circuit-controllers I which are included in the indication-circuits additional circuit-controllers are included, which last circuit-controllers are operated by a moving part comprised in the gearing of the mechanism--as, for example, the cam E. K K designate these last-mentioned circuit-controllers. As here shown, they comprise contactplates f, 7J, 12, and f. IThese contact-plates are arranged in pairs, as shown, and are insulated from each other, and the pairs of contacts are alternately bridged by a contactplate X14, carried by the cam E. Unless the v contact-plate s" is between either pair of contacts', &c., the circuit in which they are included will be open. It will be understood that the circuit-controllers K K are operated 'only when the switch-rails have been completely moved and locked. N designates a direction-controller for the motor, the operation of which is substantially the rsame as set forth in the application referred to. The construction i's also substantially the same with the exception that the armature 71 is provided with an additional circuit-controller O, here shown as comprising an arm 0, insulated in its supports and working between contactpoints o' 02. L designates a lever for controlling the operation of the electrically-operated mechanism. rJhe lever L is here arbitrarily represented and operates a circuitcontroller, which, as here shown, comprises an arm Z, movable over contact-plates la 2. Any form of lever and circuit-controller may be employed. Z designates a source of electrical energy for the motor and circuitchanger, which generally is a set of storage batteries. When the arm Z is moved into engagement with a contact-plate lu or 2, current from the battery Z will be supplied the direction-controller and the motor. The motor is operated in reverse directions by changing the direction of current through its armature. The direction of current through the armature depends upon which contact-plate (lu or 2) the arm Z rests on. The Icircuits for the direction-controller and motor are shown in full lines and are substantially the same as shown and described in the application referred to.

In theoperation of switch-rails by electrically-actuated mechanism it has been customary to employ direct current for not only the operation of the motor comprised in such mechanism, but for the control of the indication devices associated with the controllinglever of the electrically-actuated mechanism, and in the case of Huid-pressure-actuated mechanism direct current has also been used for the controlof the indication devices. Such custom is endangered by the risk of stray currents (due sometimes to crossed wires, &c.) aifeeting the lock of theindication means to release the controlling lever or levers before the mechanism controlled by them has fully performed its functions. ln order to guard against and prevent such an occurrence, I employ a current of -a different character than that intended for theoperation of other electrical devices comprised in the mechanism or associated devices to operate the indication devices and provide means which will prevent the indication devices being operated by any current other than that intended for their operation. These means may constitute a part of the indication means, or such means may be independent of the indication means. l preferably employ an alternating. current IIO for the .operation of the indication means. Such current vmay be obtained from any desired source, and the source may be included in the circuit or circuits of the indication means in any desired manner-as, for example, .by a circuit-controller operated by some part of' the apparatus at the desired time. Preferably I employ means adjacent the switch mechanism or motor for generating or supplying the alternating current. The generation of the alternating current by the motor of the electrically actuated mechanism is possible in several ways. One method (see Fig. l) is to arrange within the 4armature of the motor I) a system of windings terminating in two collector-rings P P', mounted upon the armature-shaft, which system of windings generate an alternating-current difference of potential between said rings during rotation of the armature and the alternating-current irnpulse thus sent from the rings to the indication means controlling the lever through contacts established only when the Snitch-rails have been completely moved and locked. As these contacts are established at about the time the yielding holding means are disengaged from theshoulders of the gear tlg, the residual magnetismin the field and the rotation of the armature due to its momentum will be suiiicient to send an alternating-current impulse through the circuit of the indication means toV aect the locking means :to release the controlling-lever. rllhe magnetism of the field may be maintained by simply breaking the motor-circuit through the armature without affecting' the field. In this arrangement (see Q in Fig. 7 the return of the electromagnets ofthe circuit-changer Nis made. through the motor-field insteadof outside the motor.- field, as shown in Fig. l. By increasing the magnetism in the field a higher electromotive force of alternating' current is obtained for indication purposes. Another method of obtaining alternating current for affecting the indication means is to employa second winding onthe field of the motor D of many more turns and'connected in series (or in parallel) with the electromagnets of the circuit-changer N. When compound or shunt-wound motors are used for operating the mechanism connected with the switch-rails, the high-resistance field of such motors is employed for the purpose of supplying the magnetic field in which the armature with its alternatingcurrent windings isl rotated. It is also feasible to wind the field of the motor D to high resistance and have it in circuitwith the electromagnets of the direction-controller N. In this use the circuit through the armature is interrupted after the complete operation of themechanism. Still another method of obtaining alternating current for affecting the indication means is -by the useof an alternating-'current generator,4 (such as a` magneto,) the armature ofwhich is connected-by suitto give rotary movement to the alternatingcurrent generator through forms of mechan-l isms shown in Figs. 4 or 5 or similar mechanisms. These mechanisms are two of the many forms employed for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion. The rgearing is preferably such that during the rotation of the armature d at its maximum speed it will impart to the armatureof the alternating-current generator sufficient momentum to run some time after the armature d has ceased to rotate. The advantage ofv this form of mechanism for generating alternating current for indication purposes is that whereas that method of generating alternating current within the armature of the motor does not provide means whereby suiiicient alternating current for indication purposes is developed where the load on the motor is excessive during operation of the motor, and the momentum of the armature after the switch-rails have been moved is relatively small and the speed is relatively low. The last-described means whereby the acceleration given the alternating current generator by the motor during the early part of the motors operation where the load thereon is usually light may continue in action the rotation of the alternating-current generator for some time after the motor has ceased to operate under these conditions.

In Fig. 2 I. haveshown an alterating-current generator R. r designates the armature of the generator R, the shaft r of which carries a gear-wheel r2 and a pulley r3, both of which are loose on the shaft. Fixed on the shaft r are two ratchet-wheels r* and fri), with which spring-pressed pawls r and 77, carried by the gears r2 and 113, engage. Fixed on the shaft of the armature CZ of the motor are a gear /18 and a pulley fr. The gear 718 meshes with' the gear r2, and a belt rw passes around the pulleys r3 and 1^. rI`he gearing' just described is such that upon the rotation of the armature Z the armature fr will always be rotated in thesame direction. Instead of the gear r2, ratchet rf, and pawl r6 the ballbearing clutch shown in Fig. 3 may be substituted, or there may be two such clutches reversely arranged on the shaft of the armature d. This clutch, as is well known, is effective in one direction only of` the gear or pulley.

IOO

I IO

IZO

In Figs. 4 and 5 are shown well-known sitely-arranged pawls r", engages the ratchet- Wheel frm. y

he indications means, as shown in Fig. 1, comprise an electromagnet M and an armature m, operated by the magnet NI. The armature mis adapted to lock the lever L at certain times to prevent the lever L being completely moved in either direction until the armature is attracted b v the electromagnet. This locking is accomplished by providing a lug m on the armature, which when the armature is released falls between two lugs m2, carried by a rod m", connected with the lever L. The electromagnet M is included in the secondary winding of a transformer T. The primary winding of the transformer is included in the indication-circuits, it being understood that an indication-circuit is provided for each of the two positions of the switch-rails. One indication-circuit, (see Fig. 1,) starting from the collector-plate p, is wires 1 2, (which may be a part of the common return for the motor and the direction-controller 3,) primary winding of transformer T, wires 4, 5, 6, and 7, contact-plates c, rf, and It', wire 8, contact-plates c, fel, and 2, wires 9 and 10, contact-plate 0', contact-point 02, and wires 11, 12, and 13 to collector-plate p. The other or second indication-circuit will be made through a part of the circuitcontroller I, operated by the lever H', circuit-controller K, and contact-point 02. The circuit-controllers I (operated by lever H') and K will be operated to close their circuit when the mechanism is operated to move and lock theswitch-rails to their second position. When this is done, the plate in* will bridge contact-plates 7a2 if?, the contact-plate will bridge contact-plates 8 a, and the arm 0 will be against contact-point 02 and the contact-plate (of controller I, operated by lever will bridge contact-plates v1 a. The operation of the mechanism by which these changes are made will be readily understood from the application hereinbefore referred to. This second indication-circuit, with the circuit-contr'ollers operated as above described, would, starting from the collector-plate p, be wires 1 2 3, primary winding t of the transformer T, wires 4 5 6 14, contact-plates 7a2, 1", and 7c3, wire 15, contact-plates i, 5, and is, wires 16, 17, and 18, contact-plate 02, arm o, and wires 11, 12, and 13 to collector-plate zu'. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the indication-circuits, (dotted lines,) with the exception of a part of the common return for the circuit of the battery Z, are independent of the motor-circuits. A direct current flowing through either of the circuits would not seriously affect the electromagnet M, owing to it having to pass through the transformer, and the effect of any direct current in a'transformer would be a momentary currentin its secondary winding, which would be insufficient to energize the magnet to actuate the lock to release the lever. The

effect of any direct current in the indicationcircuits can also be taken care of by an adjustment of the lock.

In order that the direct current may be eliminated as much as possible from the primary winding of the transformer, I provide an additional circuit J in shunt around the transformer, in which an inductive resistance or `impedance or coil j is included, havingrela- This inductive tively low ohmic resistance. resistance, as is well understood, acts as an impediment to the flow of an alternating current, but does not so act to the same extent to retard the iiow of a direct current. The effect of this coil is, therefore, todeiiect from the transformer much of a direct current, should such a current accidentally find access to the circuit or circuits of theindication means, and to impede the iow of the alternating current through it that is generated for the normal operation of the indicating means. It is therefore apparent that substantially all of the alternating current generated will lind a path through the transformer, while a relatively small part only of an accidental direct current in the same circuit or circuits would follow this course. By introducing a non-inductive .resistance J l in the wire common to the transformer and impedance-coil the amount of direct and alternating current that can traverse the circuit formed jointly by the impedance-coil J and the primary of the transformer is restricted to a given amount, and the eiciency of the impedance-coil in deflecting the direct current from the primary coil of the transformer is thereby 'increased What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, a lever controlling the operation of the mechanism, a lock for the lever comprising an electromagnet, a circuit for said electromagnet, and means for generating an alternating current in said circuit upon the operation of the said mechanism.

. 2. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, a lever controlling the operation of the mechanism, a lock for said lever, electromagnetic means for operating said lock which are responsive to alternating currents, a circuit for said electromagnetic means and a source of yalternating-current supply for said circuit, and means for preventing said electromagnetic means responding to any current other than an alternating current.

3. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, a lever for controlling the operation of the mechanism, a lock for said lever comprising an electromagnet, a circuit for said electromagnet, an alternatingcurrent generator for supplying alternating current to said circuit, and means actuated upon the operation of the mechanism for operating the alternating-current generator.

4. The combination with a mechanism for IOO IOS

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moving switch-rails, a lever Jfor controlling the operation of the mechanism, a lock for said lever comprising an electromag'net, a circuit for said electromagnet, an alternatingcurrent generator for supplying alternating current to said circuit, and means actuated by a moving' part of the mechanism for operating said generator. Y

5. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails', an electric motor for actuating said mechanism, circuits for said motor and a source of electrical energy for said circuits, a lever for controlling' said circuits, a lock for said lever comprising an electromagnet, a circuit forsaid electromagnet, and a source of alternating-current supply for the circuit of the electromagnet.

6. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, an electric motor for actuating said mechanism, circuits for said motor, and a source of electrical energy for said circuits, a lock for said lever comprising an electromagnet, a circuit for said electromagnet which is independent of the circuits for the motor, and a source of alternating current for the circuit or the electromagnet.

7. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, an electric motor for actuating said mechanism, circuits for said motor and a sourceof electrical energy for said circuits, a lever for controlling said circuits, a lock for said lever comprising an electromagnet, a circuit for said electromagnet, an alternating-current generator for supplying current to the circuit of the electromagnet, and means actuated from the armature of the motor for operating said alternating-current generator.

8. The combination with a lever controlling the operation of an apparatus for moving an appliance controlling the passage of trains over a railroad-track, of a lock for said lever,

and means eiectively responsive only to alternating currents for actuating said lock.

9. The combination With a lever for controlling a switch-operating'mechanism, of a lock for said lever, and means effectively responsive only to alternating currents for actuating said lock.

l0. In combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails comprising amotor, a lever for controlling the operations of said motor, a lock for saidl lever comprising electromagnetic means, an alternating-current generator for supplyingV alternating current to said electromagnetic means, and mechanism intermediate the motor and generator whereby the generator is operated. 4

lvl. In combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, comprising a motor, alever vfor controlling the operation or' said motor, a loclrfor said lever comprising electromagnetic means, an alternating-current generator for supplying alternating current to said electromagnetic means, and mechanism intermediate the motor and generator VWhereby the generator is operated from the motor and is permitted to operate by its momentum after the cessation or' operation of the motor. l2. The combination with a mechanism for moving switch-rails, a lever controlling the operation of the mechanism, a lock for the lever comprising electromagnetic means, a circuit t'or said electromagnetic means andv a source of alternating current which is supplied said circuit at about the completion 'of the operation of said mechanism.

13. The combination With a lever of an interlocking machine, a locl for said lever, which in its set position limits the movement or' the lever, and electromagnetic means responsive to alternating current for operating the lock to release the lever.

14:. The combination in an apparatus for moving an appliance controlling the passage or' trains, ot' a mechanism connected With the appliance, a motor for actuating the mechanism, a source of energy for said motor, a lever controlling the supply or' energy to the motor, a lock for the lever comprising an electromagnetic device, and means for generating a current for said electromagnetic device by the operation of the motor.

`1'5. The combination in an apparatus for moving an appliance controlling the passage of trains; orl a mechanism connected With the appliance, a motor for actuating the mechanism; a source of energy for said motor; aA lever controlling1 the supply of energy to the motor; a lock for the lever comprising an electromagnetic device; and means for generating an alternating current, for the electromagnetic device to have it operate the lock to release the lever, by the operation of the motor. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN PRESSLEY COLEMAN.

Witnesses: g

W. L. MCDANIEL, GEO. E. CRUsE. n

TOO 

